One of the deadliest cruise ship tragedies in US history took place on September 8, 1934. The SS Morro Castle was supposed to be carrying passengers back to New York after a routine luxury cruise from Cuba. But tragedy struck before it could reach its destination.
The tragedy unfolded just hours after the ship's captain, Robert Wilmott, was found dead in his stateroom. By the time the burning vessel reached the New Jersey coast, 137 passengers and crew members had lost their lives.